WHEN it comes to promoting the University of Huddersfield, Prof Bob Cryan is never one to shirk an opportunity.

So when he found himself sat next to a young American student on a flight from New York, he extolled the virtues of the Huddersfield institution.

And now that plane passenger has arrived in Huddersfield to start a chemical engineering course.

Brandon had boarded a plane in New York for the last leg of a long flight back home to Minnesota from Europe, and found himself sat next to Prof Cryan, the university’s vice-chancellor.

“I normally never talk to people on airplanes but I commented on how my car is bigger than the aircraft and that broke the ice and we started talking about all sorts of things, from world politics to engineering.

“I found out who Professor Cryan was, and I asked for more information about his university. When we got off the plane we shook hands and he said, send me an email.”

Brandon, who is from Cambridge, Minnesota, had been poised to study at the University of Minnesota and had won a valuable U.S. Navy scholarship.

But a bout of illness intervened and threw his plans into disarray.

But after his encounter with Prof Cryan, he researched the University of Huddersfield, learned about its chemistry degree courses and reckoned that it would be the ideal place to resume his studies.

“I really enjoy being here in Huddersfield. Sitting next to Prof Cryan on that plane changed my life,” said Brandon.

Prof Cryan said: “It was good to meet Brandon on that plane journey and naturally I never pass up the opportunity to sing the praises of the University of Huddersfield, as we have so much to be proud of!